Major James Whitehead’s Gravesite

This is the gravesite of Major James Whitehead who homesteaded in the French Creek area and died in 1899. The bronze marker was placed where the old homestead use to be. The gravesite is located off Lame Johnny Road right where the Centennial Trail starts. If you look north of where you need to park, the gravesite is just to the northwest of the cabin in the woods.

The cabin located near the gravesite is the original homestead of Whitehead’s. The original structure (middle section) was built in the late 1770’s or 1880’s and the original trusses are similar to what was built as homesteads, back then.

This is just one of the 3 gravesites left in Custer State Park. The other 2 are - Baby Mann’s gravesite and Dr. Alvin Herbert. This area use to be called the Bakerville area, long before Custer State Park was established, and this is all that remains.

Gravesite.

Gravesite.

Up close.

Up close.

The corrals are south of the gravesite and to the east.

The corrals are south of the gravesite and to the east.

Looking towards the beginning of the Centennial Trailhead - you can see a cabin a short distance away.

Looking towards the beginning of the Centennial Trailhead - you can see a cabin a short distance away.

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